Christopher Elson, chair of AV俱乐部鈥檚 French department and professor of French and Canadian Studies in the King鈥檚 鈥� AV俱乐部 Joint Faculty, has been named to the rank of Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre of the Palmes Acad茅miques (the French Order of Academic Palms).
The Palmes Acad茅miques is one of the oldest civil orders of the French Republic, created by Imperial decree of Napol茅an Bonaparte in 1808. The Ordre of the Palmes Acad茅miques is dedicated to persons involved in education and higher education who have distinguished themselves in an educational field or in research. Outside of universities, it can be conferred on persons who contribute to enrich cultural heritage.
Her excellency Kareen Rispal, Ambassador of France to Canada, was at AV俱乐部 last week to award Dr. Elson the insignia of Knight of Academic Palms during a ceremony held in the Sculpture Court of the Dal Arts Centre.
Kareen Rispal and Christopher Elson.
鈥淵our fields of study may be varied, but they are complementary,鈥� Ambassador Rispal said to Dr. Elson during the ceremony. 鈥淏esides literature, poetry and critical sociology, you have also taken an interest in globalization, ecology and European issues. The complexity of your fields of expertise has not hindered you from developing remarkable teaching skills.
鈥淓verybody here knows you as someone who is deeply involved in the organization of events in the francophone community of Halifax. In doing so, you bring an outstanding contribution to the outreach of French language here in Halifax. Whether it is for the Alliance Fran莽aise of Halifax, for your students or for the Consulate, you are a valued partner, whose devotion to the cultural and artistic scene in Nova Scotia is truly authentic.鈥�
An accomplished career
Born in Halifax, Dr. Elson studied at the University of King鈥檚 College and AV俱乐部 before doing a D.E.A. (The Dipl么me d'茅tudes approfondies 鈥� Degree of Profound Studies /聽Degree聽of in-Depth Studies) and a doctorate at l鈥橴niversit茅 Paris IV-Sorbonne. He defended his thesis in contemporary French literature in 1995. He has been involved on the boards of arts, culture and heritage organizations including UpStream Music, JazzEast, and the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.
He is a past vice-president of the University of King鈥檚 College and has translated a substantial number of French works, especially in the field of poetry. His articles and books include the recent In the Name of Friendship: Deguy, Derrida, and Salut (Brill Editions, 2017).
Through this decoration, the French government pays tribute to Professor Elson for his academic work in the field of poetry, literature and French language, and for his commitment to Nova Scotia鈥檚 Francophonie.
Esteemed company
Dr. Elson joins his colleague in the Department of French, Professor Taghrid Abou Hassan, as a fellow Knight in the Order of the French Academic Palms. She was honoured with an investiture into the Order in 2017. Over the years, there have been a few other Dalhousians who have also received this honour: Paul Chevy (1915 鈥� 2003) who came to AV俱乐部 in 1948 to head the former Romance Language department; Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte, former chair of the French department and FASS assistant dean who is currently president and CEO of the Canadian Foundation For Innovation; and Martha Crago, Dal鈥檚 former vice-president research who is currently the vice-principal of research and innovation at McGill University.
鈥淚t is an honour and a joy to receive this decoration to join the company of my departmental colleague, Chevali猫re Taghrid Abou Hassan, and former colleagues Martha Crago and Roseann Runte, as well as members of the Order in France, in Canada and around the world,鈥� said Dr. Elson in his thank you speech. 鈥淚鈥檓 profoundly touched and humbled by this distinction and proud to receive and wear the insignia.鈥�
Dr. Elson noted how the Order recognizes contributions to education, research and culture and commented on the intersection of those three areas here at AV俱乐部-King鈥檚 in the unique context of French and Humanities education, in the rich institutional dynamics of this setting. 鈥淭here鈥檚 something very particularly enriching and still very fun about pursuing a liberal arts education here, and I think the students and former students present here tonight will confirm that. Long may it remain so.鈥�
Celebrating achievement
Hosted by Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Frank Harvey, the ceremony welcomed additional dignitaries including Laurence Monmayrant (Consul G茅n茅ral of France in Moncton), Xavier Bonnet (Head of the Economic Affairs Department at the French Embassy in Ottawa) and Samuel Lefebvre (Economic Counselor at the French Consulate in Montreal). Local university presidents in attendance included: Peter MacKinnon of AV俱乐部 and William Lahey of the University of King鈥檚 College, both of whom spoke at the ceremony, as well as Robert Summerby-Murray of Saint Mary鈥檚 and Dianne Taylor-Gearing of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
Other distinguished guests in attendance included the Honourable Lena Diab, Nova Scotia Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie; Isabelle P茅dot, executive director of the Alliance Fran莽aise; Roger-Yves Mazerole, honourary French Consul in Halifax; and Elder Jane Abram, the Elder in Residence with AV俱乐部鈥檚 Schulich School of Law, who delivered the opening welcome. Other guests included faculty colleagues, students, friends and family of Dr. Elson.
Left to right: Laurence Monmayrant, Roger-Yves Mazerole, William Lahey, Ambassador Kareen Rispal, Christopher Elson, Elder Jane Abram, Peter MacKinnon, The Honourable Lena Diab and Frank Harvey.
In his remarks, Peter MacKinnon noted how AV俱乐部 values its important academic and scientific relationships with France and French institutions. He also noted how pleased he was to see so many people in attendance to celebrate the presentation of this honour to Dr. Elson.
鈥淚t鈥檚 clear by the gathering, by the crowd, the conversations, the buzz鈥ow highly regarded Dr. Elson is among his peers at both AV俱乐部 and the University of King鈥檚 College and across the community,鈥� he said. 鈥淩eceiving this award is a significant honour, and it demonstrates Dr. Elson鈥檚 outstanding accomplishments in promoting French language and culture.鈥�